Faiza Israr
ISLAMABAD: The Director Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) said that our 90 percent exports were initially based on cotton but they are decreased to 62 pc now. There is a high demand of our jewels and gems in the international market as well.
The traders of jewelry while talking to Customs Today told their demands and problems in this regard. The association had already held a meeting with Director TDAP Omer Hameed to point out their difficulties and demands, including the facilitation in the form E, difficulties in airport customs and security issues.
The exporters of gold jewelry are of the view that there should be training courses, seminars and exhibitions for them. There is a big problem for the Rawalpindi Islamabad Jewelers Association that they have to go to Karachi or Peshawer for the registration so there should also be an independent Rawalpindi Islamabad Association office.
Due to unavailability of any lab, there is a lack of new designs which results in loss of foreign exchange in the international market. They also suggested that there should be an informatory booklet in TDAP so people will get benefit out of it. They showed their reservations on the issue of the security which in their view is the biggest problem. They said that they had to take their luggage by themselves and they roam here and there without security on airport but there is no separate way or counter at Islamabad Airport.
Duty rate on import and export of machinery equipment should be zero which ultimately benefits importers and exporters. Director TDAP Omer Hameed assured that there will be a meeting in Ministry of Commerce where the representatives from customs, ASF, A&F and banks will be asked to accommodate exporters and importers.
